Sonny Jurgensen leads the Philadelphia Eagle offense. The Eagles 4th round pick out of Duke in 1957 Jurgensen became their full-time starter in 1961 as he led the NFL in Passing Yards and Touchdowns. Today, over 60 years later, he still ranks #9 on the Eagles All-Time Career Passing Yards list and #8 for All-Time Passing Touchdowns.
Sonny Jurgensen, Philadelphia Eagles QB
Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen is considered by many to be the best quarterback of his time - During his 18-year career lead the NFL in pass completions 4 times, passing yards 5 times, passing touchdowns twice and in the categories of completion percentage, yards-per-attempt and passer rating was the league's best once in each. The only metric he didn't excel was victories. His lifetime record ended up 69 wins to 71 losses and 7 ties.
Sonny Jurgensen, Redskins Hall of Fame Passer
Mean Joe Greene, a rookie in 1969 gets through and dumps Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen. Behind Greene is Steelers veteran Ben McGee of Jackson State. Greene was Pittsburgh's best at sacking the quarterback in 1969 with 9½ sacks.
Mean Joe Greene and Ben McGee Dump Sonny Jurgensen in 1969
Redskins great Sonny Jurgensen
NFL QB Sonny Jurgensen
Redskins Head Coach Otto Graham speaks with his quarterback Sonny Jurgensen on the sidelines around 1966. Graham coached Washington from 1966 to 1968 and while Jurgensen was the NFL's top passer 2 of those years, the Redskins managed a total of just 17 wins during that time.
Sonny Jurgensen speaks with Coach Otto Graham
Cowboys-Eagles early 1960s. Running back Clarence goes wide on Chuck Howley and the Dallas Cowboys defense. Cowboy Bob Lilly as well as Eagle Sonny Jurgensen can be seen the background, Could that be Chuck Bednarik blocking Howley?
Clarence Peaks runs against Chuck Howley and the 1960s Cowboys Defense
Rookie Charley Taylor gets outside of New York Giant defenders Jim Katcavage (#75) and John LoVetere (#76). #9 in the back is Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen.
Charley Taylor runs past Jim Katcavage and John LoVetere
Just 3 Cowboys between him and his receiver! Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen tries to get the pass over Dallas defenders Dave Edwards (#52), Lee Roy Jordan (#55) & Bob Lilly (#74).
Sonny Jurgensen against Dallas Cowboys Dave Edwards, Bob Lilly and Lee Roy Jordan
Charley Taylor makes one of his 8 touchdown catches he had in 1969. Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen with Pro Bowl center Len Hauss are seen in the background.
Charley Taylor Touchdown Catch in 1969
Redskin Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen comes under some heat from Cowboys defender Georeg Andrie
George Andrie rushing Redskin QB Sonny Jurgensen
One of the top quarterbacks of his day.
Sonny Jurgensen, Washington Redskins NFL Quarterback
Redskin QB Sonny Jurgensen hangs in the pocket under pressure from the Chicago Bears defense. Bear #55 is longtime linebacker Doug Buffone. We think this picture is from around 1968 and the Bear in the background #86, Loyd Phillips.
Sonny Jurgensen passes under pressure from the Chicago Bears Defense in 1968
Sonny Jurgensen - from the Redskins win over the Steelers in 1969. Former Packers head coach Vince Lombardi had just taken over the Redskins and led them to one of their best seasons since the mid 1950s. One of the NFL's top passers in 1969 Jurgensen was named to the Pro Bowl.
Also seen above are #31 - Redskins running back Charlie Harraway & #60 - Steelers veteran defensive lineman Ben McGee.
Sonny Jurgensen in 1969, Washington Redskins vs Pittsburgh Steelers
One of the greatest quarterbacks of his time - Sonny Jurgensen lines up behind 14-year Pro Bowl center Len Hauss
Sonny Jurgensen & Len Hauss of the Washington Redskins
Eagles Tommy McDonald (#25) and Sonny Jurgensen (#9) take a celebration photo after a game-winning score against the Washington Redskins in 1961. Down 20-24 Jurgensen hit McDonald with a 41-yard strike with 16 seconds left to give Philadelphia a 27-24 win.
Tommy McDonald and Sonny Jurgensen - 1961 Philadelphia Eagles
In 1969 his 3102 yards was tops among NFL passers. His 62% percentage completion rate was the best as well.
Sonny Jurgensen, 1969 Washington Redskins QB
Surrounded by Colts defenders Bubba Smith (#78), Roy Hilton (#85) & Billy Ray Smith (#74) Redskins QB Sonny Jurgensen gets the pass off from deep in own territory. From 1969 - despite a 339-yard, 2-touchdown day by Jurgensen his Redskins were dominated by Baltimore 41-17.
Sonny Jurgensen passing from his own endzone against Billy Ray Smith & Bubba Smith of the 1969 Colts
From around 1965 - Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl defensive end Bill Glass gets through to put some pressure on Washington Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen.
Bill Glass of the Browns and Sonny Jurgensen Redskins
One of the NFL's top passers of the early 1960s - as an Eagle he was tops in passing yardage 1961 and 1962 as well as passing touchdowns in 1962.
Sonny Jurgensen 1962 Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback
After his success with Green Bay in the 1960s, head coach took over the Washington Redskins as Head Coach and General Manager in 1969. He led them to their first winning season in almost 20 years with a 7-5-2 record. Sadly he was diagnosed with colon cancer before the start of the 1970 season and passed away September of that year.
Here he is seen with Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen. Lombardi described Jurgensen as "the best he's ever seen".
Coach Vince Lombardi with Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen
Members of the Redskin offensive line manage to hold off on coming Cowboys great Bob Lilly (#74) long enough for quarterback Sonny Jurgensen to get the pass off in 1967 Redskins-Cowboys action.
Bob Lilly of the Cowboys rushing Sonny Jurgensen of the Redskins - 1966 NFL
With the help of a Redskins lineman, quarterback Sonny Jurgensen (#9) eludes the advances of Eagles defensive end Mel Tom (#58).
Redskins Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen eludes the Eagles Rush
Eagles QB Sonny Jurgensen (#9) gets some playing time against the Steelers during Philadelphia's 1960 NFL Title season. Pictured above are, Eagles - Halfback Tim Brown (#22), fullback Theo Sapp (# 30), Jurgensen (#9), guard Jerry Huth (#65), center Chuck Bednarik (#60) & guard John Wittenborn (#52). On the Steeleers defense are Joe Krupa (#71) and Joe Lewis (#75)
Sonny Jurgensen leads the Philadelphia Eagles Offense in 1960
Eagles fullback Clarence Peaks is caught between 2 Giants as big Rosey Grier (#76) and Dick Modzelewski (#77) put the heat on quarterback Sonny Jurgensen (#9).
Rosey Grier rushing Sonny Jurgensen
Eagles QB Sonny Jurgensen (#9) gets sandwiched between Giants lineman Jim Katcavage (#75) & Andy Robustelli (#81). In 1961, the season this picture is from, all 3 men made the Pro Bowl while Katcavage and Jurgensen were named All Pro.
Jim Katcavage and Andy Robustelli of the Giants Sack Eagles Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen in 1961
Philadelphia's 4th round pick from Duke in 1957 he played 7 seasons for the Eagles. Here he is around 1961 when he led the NFL with 24 interceptions. He made up for that dubious honor by also leading the league with 32 touchdown passes, 3723 passing yards and making the All-Pro Team.
Sonny Jurgensen 1962 Philadelphia Eagles Quaretrback
The NFL's top quarterback in 1961 for passing yards and passing touchdowns - 3723 yards (an NFL record at the time) and 32 touchdowns. Named All-Pro.
Sonny Jurgensen 1961 Philadelphia Eagles
Sonny Jurgensen of the Washington Redskins is brought down by Cleveland Browns veteran defensive end Bill Glass.
Bill Glass Brings Down Sonny Jurgensen
Redskins Quarterbacks Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgensen with Pro Bowl center Len Hauss
Billy Kilmer, Sonny Jurgensen and Len Hauss of the Washington Redskins
A scene from the end of the October 8, 1967 confrontation between the Cowboys and Redskins that ended in a 17-14 Cowboys win. With 1:10 left in the game Meredith took over and drove Dallas 71 yards for the game winning drive. On 4th down, he connected with Dan Reeves as Reeves swung out of the backfield and galloped 36 yards for the game-winning score.
Don Meredith and Sonny Jurgensen in 1967
From the 1969 season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Despite losing to the Cowboys he led the Redskins to one of their best seasons in 8 years. 7 victories as well as All-Pro Honors while leading the NFL in passing attempts, completions and passing yards.
1969 Season Totals:
| Year |
Age |
QBrec |
Cmp |
Att |
Cmp% |
Yds |
TD |
TD% |
Int |
Int% |
Long |
AY/A |
Y/G |
Rate |
Sacked |
|
1969 |
35 |
7-5-2 |
274 |
442 |
62.0 |
3102 |
22 |
5.0 |
15 |
3.4 |
88 |
6.5 |
221.6 |
85.4 |
40 |
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Sonny Jurgensen against Dallas in 1969
Otto Graham, the Hall of Fame Championship quarterback for the Cleveland Browns briefly held the Head Coaching position of the Washington Redskins from 1966 to 1968. His playing career was much more impressive as he managed a 17 and 22 record.
Head Coach Otto Graham with QB Sonny Jurgensen
A 5-time Pro Bowler Sonny Jurgensen played 11 seasons with Washington passing for over 22,500 yards and 179 touchdowns. He also completed 58% of 3155 passes as a Redskin.
Redskins Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen in 1972
A sketch of the heralded Redskin quarterback in the 1966 issue of Pro Football Almanac
Sonny Jurgensen a 1966 Pro Football Almanac Sketch
Under pressure from Cowboys George Andre (#66) and Bob Lily (#74) the Redskin quarterback sets up to pass in a December 1966 game where he was 18 of 33 as he passed for 308 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also drove the Washington offense down the field to a game-winning Pete Gogolak field goal for a 34-31 victory.
Sonny Jurgensen 1966 vs Dallas
Lamar Lundy (#85) leads a Los Angeles Rams pass rush against Sonny Juregensen and the Washington Redskins.
Sonny Jurgensen against the Los Angeles Ram Defense
Redskin Legend Sonny Jurgensen, 1964-1974
Washington Redskin Great Sonny Jurgensen
Sonny Jurgensen
Redskin Quarterbacks Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgensen
Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
Sonny Jurgensen
Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
Sonny Jurgensen
Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
Sonny Jurgensen
Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
Sonny Jurgensen
Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
Sonny Jurgensen
Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1957-1963
Sonny Jurgensen Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1957-1963
Sonny Jurgensen
Veteran quarterback of 18 NFL seasons. Made the Pro Bowl 5 times and passed for over 32,000 yards. Played for Philadelphia and Washington.
Sonny Jurgensen Washington Redskins
Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1957-1963
Sonny Jurgensen
Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1957-1963
Sonny Jurgensen
Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
Sonny Jurgensen
Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
Sonny Jurgensen
Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1957-1963
Sonny Jurgensen
Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
Sonny Jurgensen
Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
Sonny Jurgensen
Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback 1957-1963
Sonny Jurgensen
Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
Sonny Jurgensen
Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
Sonny Jurgensen
Washington Redskins Quarterback 1964-1974
Sonny Jurgensen
Might be the greatest passer of all time
That is awesome. Thanks for sharing. Greatest pure passer ever????
Loved watching sonny play when he was with the Redskins. He was great
Sonny was my favorite quarterback of all time , he is the best quarterback the Redskins has ever had !!